Official PA TV broadcast the Friday sermon from the Al-Tashrifat Mosque in the presidential compound in Ramallah. Mahmoud Al-Habbash, the Supreme Shari’ah Judge and Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic affairs:
“The Prophet Muhammad was the one who commanded us, and we obey him. Allah has chosen us, and Praise be to Allah for this choice. He has chosen us to live in Jerusalem and its environs, and to stand against [the enemy], protest against him, carry out Ribat (religious conflict/war over land claimed to be Islamic) against him, and defend what belongs to the religion and the nation. We will protect the first direction of prayer, the second Mosque, the third Sanctuary after the other two Holy Sanctuaries (Mecca and Medina), the site of Muhammad’s Night Journey and the cradle of Christ. We will protect the land of the prophets from the enemies of the prophets. We will protect the land of the Apostles from the enemies of the Apostles. The campaign being waged in Jerusalem today – I am telling you, brothers – I think it is the final chapter. The final chapter after which our banners will be raised, with the aid of the one, exalted and omnipotent Allah, over the towers of the muezzin of Jerusalem, the churches of Jerusalem, the domes of Jerusalem, and its hills, mountains, alleys and houses.”